The imperial commissioner had postponed his return to the capital again and again, enraging Prince Anchang so much that he had smashed up his study no fewer than three times.
Old Qiu wore a solemn expression, deep confusion in his eyes. “Could it be that Lord An truly possesses some extraordinary means and has already discovered something? No! Absolutely impossible! Only the prince, this subordinate, and a few of our trusted men know about this matter. It concerns all our lives, so word could never have leaked out!”
Prince Anchang was furious, gnashing his teeth as he said, “These past few days, An Sheng hasn’t even been willing to accept this prince’s invitations. He returns to his residence early every day. A few days ago, when I casually asked about his return date, he still let a few things slip. But now, whenever I ask, he refuses to say a word. Instead, he keeps praising Lin Dong as a blessed land, saying it is a fine place filled with outstanding people—as though he intends to retire here! Hmph! If he doesn’t leave soon, the rainy season there is already so brief. Once the time passes, our entire plan will be ruined!”
Old Qiu furrowed his brow and pondered carefully before saying, “Your Highness, this matter requires further consideration. The situation is no longer under our control. According to reports from our informants, Lord An returns early every day and immediately locks himself in his room. We have no way of knowing what plans he is making in secret. Besides, news has arrived from the capital that Emperor Chengde has already summoned him and urged him to return as soon as possible. Yet Lord An remains in no hurry to depart. I cannot fathom the meaning behind this, but the more I think about it, the more terrified I become!”
Prince Anchang’s heart lurched. “He can even delay an imperial summons? Could it be that he intends to target me and seize my weakness? Could it be that he truly knows about our plan?”
Old Qiu nodded heavily, his face full of worry. “That is precisely what this old minister fears most! Lord An is the Commissioner of the Inner Factory, whose claws and spies are spread throughout the entire country. They are everywhere, leaving no place untouched. Could it be that he truly knows everything?”
Prince Anchang was anxious and enraged. With his hands clasped behind his back, he paced back and forth across the study. The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became. Finally, he slammed his palm down on the desk and roared, “Damn it! Why is that man An so troublesome!”
Old Qiu could not deny it. In the end, he sighed and said, “To possess such profound schemes and be so full of stratagems at such a young age—no wonder both the late emperor and His Majesty hold him in such high regard.”
As soon as An Sheng entered the room, A Mei came to greet him.
“Husband, why are you back so early again today?”
An Sheng reached out and pulled her into his arms. Then he sat down heavily in the chair, settled A Mei across his lap, and kissed her passionately. His large hand slipped directly beneath the hem of her clothes and moved upward, caressing and fondling her warm, soft body.
“Ah—wait, wait a moment! What are you doing, Husband?”
The feverish action made A Mei’s body tremble, and her pretty face suddenly flushed. She turned her face aside, shooting An Sheng a sidelong glance, and weakly pushed against his chest as she complained sweetly, “Why are you thinking about that the moment you return? I have something to ask you.”
An Sheng did not stop what he was doing. His breathing was unsteady as he asked, “What is it?”
“His Majesty has already ordered you to set out for the capital as soon as possible. You can’t keep delaying forever. Husband, when are we actually leaving?”
“Why the rush? We’ll talk about it in a few days. There’s no need to worry about His Majesty. If we aren’t leaving, naturally we have our reasons.”
“Is there still something you need to take care of here?” A Mei asked curiously.
“Have you bathed?” An Sheng changed the subject. He buried his face against A Mei’s neck and inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with her delicate fragrance. “My darling, you smell wonderful.”
His breath was hot against A Mei’s neck, making her feel ticklish. She could not help shrinking back before gently pushing at An Sheng’s chest.
An Sheng lifted his head, and their eyes met. A Mei gazed at him with shy embarrassment in her limpid eyes. In a soft voice, she called out coyly, “Husband… Husband…”
Because A Mei had taken the initiative to request that they share intimacy every day, An Sheng had gradually set aside his earlier concern that her young body might not be able to endure such frequency. Now that he no longer had any reservations, he indulged himself freely. The two of them had been inseparable and deeply affectionate over the past few days. A Mei had been thoroughly cherished, and the innocent, somewhat naïve sensuality she had once possessed had increasingly blossomed into a woman’s alluring charm.
Her eyes had always been expressive and captivating. With that coy, teasing glance, the hazy springlike allure within them rippled outward and flowed straight into An Sheng’s heart.
An Sheng’s breath caught, and he gave a low hum. “What is it?”
“Have you bathed, Husband?”
“I bathed as soon as I returned to the residence.”
“Then have you eaten?”
“I ate outside before coming home.”
A Mei gave a soft “oh.” She lifted her delicate hands and loosely looped them around An Sheng’s neck. Her lips parted and closed, her expression shy and seductive, yet without any nervousness or fear. Instead, there was even a trace of anticipation in her voice.
“Then what are you waiting for, Husband?”
As she spoke, A Mei’s eyes shifted toward the bed. That single glance nearly bewitched An Sheng out of his senses.
His expression changed at once. His deep black eyes churned with scorching heat, and the desire radiating from them was intensely possessive and completely undisguised.
Still holding A Mei in his arms, he rose slowly and walked toward the bed with steady steps. As he moved, his lips curved into a smile filled with unusual excitement.
“All right. Since my wife is so eager, I will naturally do my utmost to satisfy her.”
The words made A Mei blush furiously. When he gently laid her on the bed, removed her clothes, and pressed her beneath him, she finally could not help whispering, “Wait, Husband…”
An Sheng’s body stiffened. The veins on his restrained hands stood out, but he stopped. His lips brushed teasingly against hers as he murmured, “My darling, at a time like this, how can you bear to make me wait?”
A soft, boneless hand pushed lightly against his firm chest, followed by a sweet, coquettish voice.
“Oh, Husband, get off me first. Quickly, quickly! I want to be on top. I want to kiss you.”
An Sheng’s brows lifted. He immediately rolled over with A Mei in his arms. Amid her soft cry of surprise, the two of them changed positions, and A Mei found herself straddling him.
Her face flushed, and she cast An Sheng a coy, reproachful glance. Then she cupped his face in her hands and took the initiative to kiss his forehead. Little by little, she moved downward, kissing his lips before continuing lower. As she kissed him, she breathed softly and spoke in a low voice.
“Husband, do you really think I haven’t been tired these past few days? Hmph. You’ve practically worn A Mei out. But…”
Hearing her husband’s increasingly obvious breathing, A Mei blinked mischievously. She followed the line of his neck with a trail of kisses and continued, “But I can feel how happy and content you’ve been these past few days. As long as I can satisfy you, A Mei will be happy no matter what.”
If An Sheng’s eyes had been filled with surging waves of heat before, then now that heat had become a crimson torrent, driven to the very limit.
At last, he rasped hoarsely. One hand clutched her slender waist, while the other roamed over her, fanning the flames of desire wherever it went. “Since Madam is tired, shall I take over?”
A Mei had no intention of rushing into that final intimacy. She shook her head and continued patiently kissing An Sheng. Not only did she make his breathing grow increasingly heavy, she also succeeded in melting into a puddle of water in his arms.
Only when she was utterly lost in passion, her eyes unfocused and her teeth sinking into her lip, did she murmur haltingly, “Husband, I—I have no strength left. Why don’t you… you take over?”
An Sheng turned over and pinned A Mei beneath him once more. Then he reached out and pulled the box hidden inside the pillow to his side. He casually took out one of its contents, his deep, dark eyes never leaving A Mei for even a moment…
…
